Atlanta United acquired midfielder Ezequiel Barco from Club Atlético Independiente of the Argentine Superliga on Jan. 19, 2018. He signed with Atlanta as a Young Designated Player. In his first season, Barco made 26 appearances and 19 starts, totalling four goals and three assists. Barco joined Independiente’s youth academy at 15 and signed a professional contract with the club in July of 2016. In two seasons, he combined to make 57 total appearances across league, Copa Sudamericana and Copa Argentina play, scoring eight goals and leading Independiente to the 2017 Copa Sudamericana title.

2018 (Atlanta United): After suffering an injury in preseason, Barco made his MLS debut on April 15 in a 2-2 draw with NYCFC. A week later, the Argentine midfielder started his first match for Atlanta at LA Galaxy. He scored his first MLS goal in a 2-1 win at Chicago Fire (5/5). Barco finished the regular season with four goals and three assists. He made 26 total appearances, with 19 starts in his first season in Atlanta. MLS Cup Playoffs: Made two substitute appearances in the Eastern Conference Semifinal series vs. NYCFC. Played off the bench in the Eastern Conference Final and in MLS Cup, helping Atlanta United win its first major trophy. US Open Cup: Started and scored in the 3-0 Open Cup victory against Charleston Battery. Made a substitute appearance against Chicago Fire.

2017/18 (Independiente): Barco made eight appearances, scoring one goal and tallying two assists. His lone goal was a game-winner against Chacarita Juniors (Oct. 15) in a 2-1 victory in which he also assisted Independiente’s first goal. Barco made eight appearances in the Copa Sudamericana and scored one goal against Deportes Iquique (July 13) in a 4-2 win.

2016/17 (Independiente): Barco made his professional debut against Defensa y Justicia August 9, 2016 in the Copa Argentina. He made 30 appearances with 18 starts in league play. He scored four goals, including his first goal Sept. 11, 2016 against Godoy Cruz in his second league match. Barco made four appearances, one start, in Copa Sudamericana play.

INTERNATIONAL: Barco has eight appearances for Argentina’s U-20 National Team. All eight appearances came during the U-20 South American Championship where Argentina finished in fourth place and earned a spot in the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup.